March 17, 2021
Development
by
Michael Tanenbaum
Construction has begun on a roundabout at the intersection of Frankford Avenue, East York Street and Trenton Avenue in Fishtown. The troubled intersection is included in Philadelphia's High Injury Network. Developers also hope to construct an apartment building at the intersection.
March 17, 2021
politicians
by
Michael Tanenbaum
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Gov. John Fetterman has a series of numerical tattoos on both of his forearms. The 2022 Democratic U.S. Senate candidate explained in a blog this week that the numbers represent people who died as a result of gun violence in Braddock, the western Pennsylvania town where he served as mayor for 15 years.
March 17, 2021
Accidents
by
Michael Tanenbaum
The Philadelphia 76ers wished Shawn Bradley and his family well after the former top draft pick was seriously injured in a bicycle crash in Utah in January. Bradley, 48, was paralyzed and underwent surgery after a car ran into him from behind while he was on his bike near his home in St. George.
March 16, 2021
Prevention
by
Michael Tanenbaum
Philadelphia's FEMA COVID-19 Vaccination Center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center will allow walk-up appointments to eligible city residents from Wednesday, March 17 through Monday, March 22. Walk-ups must be part of phase 1A or phase 1B of the city's vaccine distribution plan and must have proof that they live in one of 22 Philadelphia ZIP codes.
March 16, 2021
Films
by
Michael Tanenbaum
"Concrete Cowboy," starring Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin, will premiere on Netflix on April 2. A trailer for the film gives a glimpse of the story that centers on Philadelphia's urban horseback riding culture, seen through the lens of a fragile relationship between a father and son.
March 16, 2021
Courts
by
Michael Tanenbaum
Quintin Alec-Manning, 22, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty nearly two years after he intentionally ran over five geese with his car at a Home Depot parking lot in Toms River. Ocean County prosecutors will seek a 90-day prison sentence, community service and an order prohibiting Alec-Manning from owning or working with animals ever again.
March 15, 2021
Government
by
Michael Tanenbaum
Pennsylvania's COVID-19 restrictions will be eased again on April 4, allowing bar service to resume and businesses to increase occupancy limits. It remains to be seen whether Philadelphia officials will follow the Harrisburg's lead. Gov. Tom Wolf pointed to expanding vaccinations and falling case rates in explaining the state's decision to loosen mitigation efforts on Easter Sunday.
March 15, 2021
Investigations
by
Michael Tanenbaum
Rafaela Spone, 50, of Chalfont, allegedly harassed members of her daughter's cheerleading squad by creating deepfakes in order to get them kicked off the team, according to Bucks County prosecutors. The alleged cyber harassment began in 2020 and targeted three underage girls.
March 15, 2021
Investigations
by
Michael Tanenbaum
Julian Elie Khater, 32, of State College, and George Pierre Tanios, 39, of Morgantown, West Virginia, are charged with assault for allegedly using of bear spray against law enforcement during the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6. Three police officers, including New Jersey-native Brian Sicknick were injured. Sicknick was hospitalized and later died after the insurrection.
March 15, 2021
Obituaries
by
Michael Tanenbaum
Sam Spera, founder of Sam's Pizza Palace in Wildwood, died on March 12, 2021, at 92 years old after decades of success at the Jersey Shore. Spera moved to New Jersey from Sicily, Italy, in the 1950s and created an iconic boardwalk business that has fed generations of visitors.